I was going through my bag of clothing to upcycle/refashion, and I found this purple t-shirt.
I was in the mood for something quick to make yesterday, so during J’s nap, I made this little outfit.
I used a dress of hers to cut out the two pieces to make the dress. I cut it with the bottom of the t-shirt to be the bottom of the dress, so that was less sewing I had to do. I sewed up the insides and did a v stitch over the raw edges of the arm holes and sleeves.
Then with the left overs, I cut five pieces to make the ruffles. I just winged it. The middle one was the longest, followed by two on each side, then even smaller ones beside those. I just basted down the center of each strip, pulled the back thread until it ruffled like I wanted it, and sewed them on side by side.
I made ruffles for her shoes too, using my tutorial here to create how to fit them on. I just sewed the Velcro right onto the material though instead of making a felt base because I didn’t need to.
I then cut two more small strips and ruffled them to make a headband. I made them long enough to cover the part of her head you would see, then sewed them to elastic to make a headband that stays on.
I’m thinking of doing a shirt like this for me. I’m such a fan of jersey material, especially here where it’s been hot lately.
Stephanie Sabbe says
July 18, 2009 at 12:47 pmI can’t believe you made that during a nap time! you’re fast
Marifetli Peri says
July 18, 2009 at 1:07 pmWould work out great. Your daughter is beautiful. Good week end.
Carrie Me! says
July 18, 2009 at 1:38 pmAdorable!! =)
Ashley says
July 18, 2009 at 2:33 pmOMG!!! This has to be the most adorable t-shirt refashion ever! I’m working on my tutorial for the halter dress I made but I may just throw it out now! I LOVE it!!!
Elaine says
July 18, 2009 at 2:40 pmThis is such a great idea! You make everything look SO easy… I am in the process of finding a sewing machine. But looking at your posts, I may also have to find a baby to dres….haha Love your blog!
Ashley says
July 18, 2009 at 2:43 pmI linked to you….I LOVE IT!
http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-t-shirt-refashion-ever.html
About Me says
July 18, 2009 at 3:22 pmJessica that is too cute and so is your daughter!!
Angela Neil says
July 18, 2009 at 3:35 pmThat’s so CUTE!!
Heather - CROQZine.com - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
July 18, 2009 at 4:00 pmYou & all your awesome t-shirt recons knock me out! This one is sooo cute. I hope I have a little girl someday (and that I figure out how to use my serger so I can sew t-shirts more easily.
By the way, threadbanger.com has a Generation T t-shirt recon contest going on right now, and you should totally submit some of your tutorials. You will win with the red anthro t-shirt recon!! Make a video for them and you automatically get some goodies. http://www.threadbanger.com/tb-projects/post/13285/generation-t-contest-details
Marisa says
July 18, 2009 at 4:03 pmOK, this dress is too stinkin’ adorable! Oh, how I miss nap time! That’s when I would sew too!
Corey~living and loving says
July 18, 2009 at 4:18 pmoh me oh my….THAT is adorable.
Genevieve Gail says
July 18, 2009 at 5:51 pmWow, that is the cutest outfit ever! Great job!
michellejohnnie says
July 18, 2009 at 6:16 pmLove it! Featured at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Impish says
July 18, 2009 at 6:29 pmOh, that is adorable!
You’re right– an adult version would be wonderful (and comfortable!)
Happy Together says
July 18, 2009 at 7:58 pmoh my word. Thank you all for the sweet comments and tips 🙂 You guys are the best and have made my day!
san says
July 18, 2009 at 8:24 pmEvery post I see more and more of the stylist and artist in you! I predict a long and amazing career for you Jessica, that little doll of yours is so lucky to have you as a mommy! Enjoy your weekend!
Jenny Lynn says
July 18, 2009 at 9:11 pmthis is FABULOUS!
Do you have any step by step pictures or a tutorial on how to make the ruffles on her dress? i love those on tank tops (j.crew…ahem…expensive) and I would love to make one for myself!
thanks 🙂
casserole says
July 18, 2009 at 9:41 pmOh. My. That is so incredibly cute!!! I love all the ruffles!
I posted a link to your project on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/lookie-what-she-made-ruffled-toddler-dress/2009/07/18/
–Anne
Kristin Sellars says
July 18, 2009 at 10:42 pmLove it…especially the ruffles!
lubirdbaby.blogspot.com
Embellished Bayou says
July 18, 2009 at 11:19 pmOh, I am SO doing this! You are so creative and come up with the best ideas, I love this one, thanks for sharing!!
forever folding laundry says
July 18, 2009 at 11:33 pmJust found your blog through Craft Gossip – LOVE it! This tutorial is awesome, and those quilt letters you made? Totally fabulous! Thanks for the inspiration!!
~Keri
Kitschy Coo says
July 19, 2009 at 2:04 amLove it! You’re very talented 🙂 And your daughter is super gorgeous too!
Georgine says
July 19, 2009 at 7:40 amSo creative! I am jealous. Gorgeous little girl too! I have a quick question, please. What is a v stitch? I would love to make this for my daughter – ooohh, just a tank shirt would be cute too. Thanks for the idea. I love your blog.
Elle's Mom says
July 19, 2009 at 9:50 amStopping by from Lil Blue Boo! This is too adorable for words! I will have to try this for my little girl!
Happy Together says
July 19, 2009 at 12:03 pm“do you have a step by step with pictures on how to make the ruffles?”
I will get one up in the day or two. I’m going to do a onesie like this, so it works out great.
“what’s a v-stitch?”
I don’t have a serger, so when I do raw edges on jersey/knits I just use the stitch that looks like a v from the stitch choices. I’m not sure it’s exact name, but it’s #6 on my sewing machine 🙂
Paige says
July 19, 2009 at 12:50 pmThis is so adorable! If they had Project Runway for making kid’s clothes, you would win without a doubt! 🙂
amybluestar says
July 19, 2009 at 1:35 pmGirl, you did an awesome job. I love it!
Amy
Georgine says
July 19, 2009 at 3:47 pmThank you for the v-stitch. I would like a serger – I have no idea how to use one, but I am game to learn. I love the dress, I like I will have to try it. Thanks again!
luvinthemommyhood says
July 19, 2009 at 10:16 pmOk, I am gonna make one of these immediately, so gorgeous!!!!!
Tami (Pixeltrash) says
July 19, 2009 at 10:32 pmHow sweet is that?
tammiemarie says
July 20, 2009 at 8:12 amMy gosh girl – do you ever stop being fabulous?! Adorable refashion.
Megan says
July 20, 2009 at 11:17 amLove the new header! Your daughter has to be the most fashionable girl at church!
Oh and random but your about me doesn’t show up when you click the link!
Happy Together says
July 20, 2009 at 11:31 am” and random but your about me doesn’t show up when you click the link!”
I fixed it 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!
Antonia says
July 22, 2009 at 12:36 amI posted on your tutorial today, but just wanted to let you know I linked you @ ormstondarlings.blogspot.com Thanks again!
Terrie B x says
July 23, 2009 at 9:46 amHi:)
I think your blog is `Fabulous`
Cute dress..TFS
Have a great week;)x
h/saltaste bönan says
July 25, 2009 at 5:51 amLove your blog! This dress is absolutely fabulous. I just made one for my daughter. It took me about 15 minutes so I’d say you can make several during a nap…
Emily says
July 28, 2009 at 8:42 amThat is so incredibly cute!!! I love all the ruffles!
Petra says
August 6, 2009 at 6:31 amMaximum impact and minimum time, this I love!
http://www.minini.be
Anonymous says
January 4, 2010 at 6:07 pmYou have fantastic tutorials. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Cris Corrêa says
January 26, 2010 at 2:31 pmHi,
I’d like to say that your blog is so inpiring!!!
congrats!
I’ve made some for my little daughter…
look there.
by, God blesse you!
http://aprendizdasartes.blogspot.com/
Andy says
March 1, 2010 at 10:11 pmThank-you for the pattern. My son is a swimmer, and I used one of his old swim shirts and converted into a toddler dress for my 18mo daughter. Instead of roses on the bottom, I did Hawaiian lay flowers. It was perfect for her to where to his swim meets and cheer him on. 🙂
Tami Bertelson says
March 22, 2010 at 2:48 pmSo Cute! I had to make one for my daughter, here is the link to my blog I posted a pic of it and a link to your site. Thanks!
http://cozytrends.wordpress.com/
Eyeshadow Colour says
July 1, 2010 at 4:55 amSo cute, you are very talented!
ladyleung says
September 6, 2010 at 12:07 amthanks for the tutorial! i just have one question. is the v stitch similar to a zigzac?
Happy Together says
September 6, 2010 at 8:53 am“i just have one question. is the v stitch similar to a zigzac?”
Yup 🙂
Shannon P says
October 2, 2012 at 2:37 pmSo cute and so easy. Thanks for the tutorial! I made one like this for my daughter and it was perfect for summer.